‘Really bad’ – Novak Djokovic gives update on ‘horrific’ foot injury before shock US Open admission

Novak Djokovic admitted his 6-1, 7-6, 6-2 win over Learner Tien at the US Open on Sunday was a “physical struggle.”

The 38-year-old Serb, who hadn’t played since Wimbledon, saw his level drop in the second set before needing treatment for blisters on his toe.

Getty

Despite only dropping nine games in the entire match, Djokovic’s win was anything but smooth sailing.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner had an impressive start but admitted that his condition was a cause for concern.

“I started great. Just over 20 minutes, first set, I felt really good. Then some long games to start the second set,” Djokovic told reporters.

“Then I start to feel really…I don’t know why. I really was surprised how bad I was feeling in the second physically.

“Yeah, we had long exchanges, but also, I kind of dropped my level and made a lot of unforced errors and kind of got him back into the match.”

Djokovic’s shocking blister in win over Tien

After Djokovic was taken to a second-set tie-break by Tien, who’s another American teenage tennis star, the Serb looked physically hampered.

Djokovic requested a medical timeout during the break in play as a physio came on the court to attend to a foot issue.

Cameras picked up the large blister on Djokovic’s foot, with the sight a nasty one that those on social media quickly reacted to.

“That Djokovic foot did not look pretty,’ one fan wrote.

Another fan said: “A look at the blister Novak Djokovic was dealing with tonight… gross.”

Getty

GETTY

“The blister on Djokovic’s big toe is horrific. It’s not even a blister. It’s a one square inch flap of skin just hanging there. He’s gonna need every one of these off days before his second round match,” added a third

Djokovic plays down injury concerns at US Open

Despite his blister, Djokovic dismissed suggestions of an injury.

“Good thing, two days off now, but it’s slightly a concern,” he told reporters.

“I don’t have any injury or anything. I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points.”

Djokovic’s fitness concerns are likely due to the lack of matches he has played in recent months.

The Serb is heading towards his retirement and has already confirmed that his focus is centred around the Grand Slam tournaments.

Djokovic skipped the ATP Masters events in Toronto and Cincinnati leading up to the US Open.

Similarly, after the French Open, he did not play in any events in the lead-up to Wimbledon.

“I don’t actually have any schedule other than Slams, to be honest,” Djokovic, who has the most majors in the Open Era, said before the tournament began.

“So yeah, it’s just not any more prioritising the heavy schedule as I used to. I’m not chasing the rankings or building up my points or defending, etc.

“I just don’t think about it anymore. For me, it’s really about where do I find motivation and joy?”

“Where will I be inspired to play the best tennis? And where do I care to be, really, and play? And Slams are obviously the four main tournaments where I always feel the most motivation.”

Elsewhere at the US Open, Benjamin Bonzi caused the upset of the night after his historic win over Daniil Medvedev in a match full of controversy.